Quality Road prevails over Dunkirk in Florida Derby

Colt proved his Quality in Florida Derby (Courtesy of Adam Coglianese) Despite an impressive 4 1/4-length triumph in last month’s Fountain of Youth S. (G2), Edward P. Evans’ homebred QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) played second fiddle to the undefeated Dunkirk (Unbridled’s Song), who had yet to run in a stakes, in both media coverage and in the wagering leading up to Saturday’s $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. That is now likely to change following the results of the Florida Derby, which put Quality Road on the inside track to favoritism for the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1). Under John Velazquez, Quality Road tracked in second behind longshot Casey’s On Call (Gimmeawink) through fractions of :23 2/5 and :46 4/5, then put his head in front of that rival to get six furlongs in 1:10 3/5. Approaching the top of the stretch, Velazquez sneaked a peak under his left shoulder to check for an oncoming challenger, presumably Dunkirk, but that gray colt had already reached his mount’s flank with a strong far-turn rally from sixth. In between those runners was Theregoesjojo (Brahms), the third choice who was given an outside chance to upset the two favorites. At the top of the stretch, however, Theregoesjojo had to check slightly and quickly found himself out of contention as Quality Road and Dunkirk assumed their expected rivalry. Impressive when rallying from off the pace to take both a maiden and an allowance earlier in the Gulfstream meet, Dunkirk tried to do the same on Saturday, but Quality Road dug down to repel his foe and drew off through the lane to register a 1 3/4-length triumph. An objection against the winner by Kent Desormeaux, the rider of Theregoesjojo, was disallowed. The final time was a new track record of 1:47 3/5 for nine furlongs, one-fifth of a second faster than the time achieved by Brass Hat (Prized) for his victory in the 2006 Donn H. (G1).

The 6-5 second choice, Quality Road returned $4.40, $2.40 and $2.10 while
keying the $9 exacta over Dunkirk, the even-money choice who was six lengths
clear of Theregoesjojo, who started at 7-2. Dunkirk paid $2.40 and $2.10 while
Theregoesjojo also returned $2.10 to show. The chalky trifecta paid $12 while
the 2-4-6-9 superfecta, completed by 87-1 chance Stately Character (Pleasant
Tap), returned $72.20. Sincero (Repent), Casey’s On Call and Toby the Coal Man
(Mineshaft) rounded out the order of finish. Withdrawn from the field were
Danger to Society (Harlan’s Holiday) and Europe (Unbridled’s Song), a stablemate
of Dunkirk who was entered as a possible rabbit.

Quality Road’s participation in the Kentucky Derby is assured from a graded
earnings standpoint but the same can not be said for Dunkirk, whose connections
rolled the dice Saturday hoping that success in a single prep would ensure their
colt’s presence in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in
May. Unless the Todd Pletcher charge winds up in an interim prep, Dunkirk’s
$150,000 paycheck from the Florida Derby might leave him on the bubble to make
the race should it oversubscribe. A maximum field of 20 can start in the
Kentucky Derby, and with one position allotted to the winner of the Kentucky
Derby Challenge S. at Kempton Park in England, the remaining 19 spots will be
given to those with the highest earnings in graded stakes.

An impressive debut winner at Aqueduct in late November for trainer Jimmy
Jerkens, Quality Road finished second to Theregoesjojo when making his 2009 bow
in a seven-furlong allowance at Gulfstream on January 10. He reversed that
outcome in the nine-furlong Fountain of Youth last out and, with this triumph in
the Florida Derby, improved his line to 4-3-1-0, $632,830.

Out of the Strawberry Road (Aus) mare Kobla, the bay colt has an unnamed
yearling half-sister by Tale of the Cat. Kobla is a full sister to 1997 champion
three-year-old filly and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) heroine Ajina, an earner of
more than $1.3 million. She also counts multiple Grade 3 victor Rob’s Spirit
(Theatrical [Ire]) as a half-brother. Quality Road’s third dam is Irish champion
Highest Trump (Bold Bidder), whose descendants include multiple English Group 1
winner and highweight Bahri (Riverman).